Norman Wells RCMP intercept nearly one pound of suspected crack-cocaine after tip from public

August 4, 2026 - Norman Wells, Northwest Territories
From: Northwest Territories RCMP

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Police in Norman Wells have seized a significant quantity of suspected crack-cocaine and charged one person after a tip from the public.
On July 31st, Norman Wells RCMP were made aware that an individual known to be involved in the drug trade and who had been previously caught transporting illicit drugs by police was now travelling through Norman Wells to Fort Good Hope under suspicious circumstances.

Officers attended the airport and located the individual. Through investigation, officers formed grounds to detain her and subsequently located approximately 437 grams of suspected crack-cocaine and other drug paraphernalia.

34-year-old Marie Erutse of Fort Good Hope has been charged with:

• Trafficking a controlled substance, contrary to section 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Possession of a controlled substance, contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
• Opening, consuming or using liquor during transport, contrary to section 40 of the Liquor Act
• Possessing liquor at an unlawful place, contrary to section 78 of the Liquor Act

She appeared in court for a bail hearing and was remanded into custody.

Marie Erutse already has a drug-related charge before the court after being caught arriving at Fort Good Hope’s airport with approximately 261 grams of crack-cocaine in April of 2025. Court proceedings for that matter remain ongoing.

Norman Wells RCMP would like to thank the public for their continued assistance and support in combatting the illicit drug trade in the area. Anyone with information on the illicit drug trade is encouraged to contact their nearest detachment or Crime Stoppers at https://p3tips.com

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